Tag Archives: vermont woodlands association vt

People often ask me why on earth we located our new sustainable furniture store in the middle of Vermont’s woodlands. The truth is that I don’t see Vermont Woods Studios as a furniture store. Yes we have IMHO a beautiful showcase of the best quality handmade furniture Vermont has to offer. But our business was built first and foremost, out of my passion for wildlife & forest conservation. I wanted to show people where their furniture comes from. And I wanted to appeal to them to buy furniture and flooring that come from forests that are re-planted and professionally managed for wildlife & sustainability.

We located Stonehurst in the foothills of the Green Mountain National Forest…

so customers could enjoy the 100 acre woodland we’re on and experience the beauty of the forest

so we could raise awareness about forest conservation and the fact that much of the wood furniture and flooring in America is made from imported rainforest timber that’s being mowed down at the mind-boggling rate of over 1 acre/second

so we could persuade people to buy American made furniture and flooring– a healthier, more sustainable choice for both people & planet

so we could inspire people to change the world

For the first 7 years our Vermont Woods Studios was an online furniture store. Our staff worked out of a spare bedroom in my house. When customers wanted to visit us we would invite them to Ken’s tiny workshop in the back of the house. But as business grew and more people wanted to visit, we figured maybe it was safe to set up shop in a more suitable location. From the very beginning we knew it had to be in the woods.

National Geographic's Traveler Magazine does a survey every year of the world's most desirable destinations for sustainable travel and little old Vermont ranked #6 in the WORLD for stewardship destinations. Vermont was the only USA destination ranking in the Top Ten:

"More than any American state, Vermont has worked to preserve those qualities that make it unique," such as scenic countryside, lively small towns, historic streetscapes, local businesses. A tourist magnet in summer, it nonetheless "never seems overrun by visitors."

The Vermont Woodlands Association has to take some of the credit for this distinction. I'm just reading their winter newsletter and as usual, I'm impressed and inspired by their tireless work to protect and steward our forests for future generations. Here's one of the many interesting facts presented on the VWA website:

"In Vermont, the net growth of trees has exceeded removal since the first inventory in 1948. About twice as much wood has been grown than was cut or otherwise removed." How's that for sustainable forestry management?

VWA conducts all sorts of forestry workshops, fieldtrips, events and classes. Check out their education schedule.

And Hats off to Put Blodgett, Al Robertson and all of the staff and volunteers at VWA!